2004 Ford Mountaineer problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls (1) · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control (1) · Structure:body:tailgate (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Mountaineer model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (5)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2020-07-13 · TSB 20-2233 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. some 2000 and newer ford/lincoln/mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is
Power Train:axle Assembly 2005-05-01 · 18478 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
axle seal leaks. *eh
Power Train:axle Assembly 2005-03-01 · 18466 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
axle whine howl. this includes 1997-05 ford vehicles. *eh
Seat Belts 2005-02-21 · 05310 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
safety belt web stop button service. *eh
Power Train:axle Assembly 2005-02-01 · 18423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
axle whine howl service with individual parts instead of an axle assembly. *eh
What owners report
2007-12-31 · Structure:body:tailgate · 54,350 mi“tailgate has a crack in the fiberglass, below the windshield traveling down. there is no identified reason for this crack. i have been told by the dealership this is commonly seen in the mountaineer and explorers. the crack indicates a manufacturer defect however ford/mercury has not made the recall. *tr…”
2007-06-20 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls“there is a crack that extends down the liftgate on the 2004 ford explorer. i have no events leading up to this failure. if this crack is not repaired inevitably there will be water damage to the electrical components in the lift door such as a failure of the rear window defroster and rear window wiper. i wish to have this failure repaired at …”
2005-06-19 · Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator · 13,000 mi“i drive a 2004 ford explorer xlt. this vehicle has stalled on my wife and i numerous different times with in the 14 months of owning the suv. at one point we were almost in a accident with our 1 year daughter in the car. we have brought this to the attention of the ford company 6 different times and their response is unless ford can duplicate…”
2005-05-04 · Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control · 20,000 mi · 💥 crash“contact stated: family had just come back from a four hour road trip after using cruise control. husband was in car when it idled normally, but as soon as it was put in reverse it lurched backward very quickly. when vehicle was stopped finally it was then put into drive. the problem happened again car lurched forward. subsequently, striking an…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.